Abstract: Described is a method of treating an article having at its surface oxide or hydroxide moieties, as well as the resulting treated article. The method includes priming the surface of the article by contact with an alkoxysilane in an aprotic organic solvent in the presence of an acid catalyst so that the alkoxysilane reacts with the oxide or hydroxide moieties of the surface. This yields a primed surface. A polymer is then reacted with one or more amino, hydroxyl, carboxylic acid and/or acid anhydride groups on the surface to covalently couple the polymer to the primed surface via the alkoxysilane. The reaction with the polymer is not a free-radical reaction.

Abstract: A tissue-adhesive formulation consists of a naturally occurring or synthetic polymerisable and/or cross-linkable material in particulate form, the polymerisable and/or cross-linkable material being in admixture with particulate material comprising tissue-reactive functional groups. The formulation may be used in the preparation of a tissue-adhesive sheet, by applying the formulation to at least one side of a core of a naturally occurring or synthetic polymeric material.

Abstract: A tissue-adhesive formulation consists of a naturally occurring or synthetic polymerisable and/or cross-linkable material in particulate form, the polymerisable and/or cross-linkable material being in admixture with particulate material comprising tissue-reactive functional groups. The formulation may be used in the preparation of a tissue-adhesive sheet, by applying the formulation to at least one side of a core of a naturally occurring or synthetic polymeric material.

Abstract: A metal, glass or ceramics article, for example a stent, having at its surface oxide or hydroxide is treated to enhance the biocompatibility and/or physical characteristics of the surface. The surface is de-greased and primed by contact with an alkoxysilane in a aprotic organic solvent in the presence of an acid catalyst so that the alkoxysilane molecules react with the oxide or hydroxide of said surface to form covalent bonds, the alkoxysilane further comprising one or more amino, hydroxyl, carboxylic acid or acid anhydride groups. A polymer, e.g. carbodymethyl cellulose, is then covalently coupled to said surface via said amino, hydroxyl, carboxylic acid or acid anhydride groups, after which biologically active materials may be coupled to the polymer. Such materials may include an anti-coagulating agent or anti-platelet agent and an agent that inhibits smooth cell proliferation and restenosis.

Abstract: A thermally imagable article comprises a substrate on which is coated a positive working heat-sensitive composition comprising a hydroxyl group-containing polymer and a heat-labile moiety which decreases the developer solubility of the composition as compared to the developer solubility of the composition without the heat-labile moiety, wherein the heat-sensitive composition does not comprise an acid generating moiety. The invention also provides novel positive working compositions comprising heat-labile moieties, and imagable articles comprising said compositions.

Abstract: A thermally imagable article comprises a substrate on which is coated a positive working heat-sensitive composition comprising a hydroxyl group-containing polymer and a heat-labile moiety which decreases the developer solubility of the composition as compared to the developer solubility of the composition without the heat-labile moiety, wherein the heat-sensitive composition does not comprise an acid generating moiety. The invention also provides novel positive working compositions comprising heat-labile moieties, and imagable articles comprising said compositions.

Abstract: A thermally imagable article comprises a substrate on which is coated a positive working heat-sensitive composition comprising a hydroxyl group-containing polymer and a heat-labile moiety which decreases the developer solubility of the composition as compared to the developer solubility of the composition without the heat-labile moiety, wherein the heat-sensitive composition does not comprise an acid generating moiety. The invention also provides novel positive working compositions comprising heat-labile moieties, and imagable articles comprising said compositions.